It’s very common that when a baby is on the way, expectant mothers want to get their home ready for their new addition to the family. There tends to be a lot to do from preparing the nursery to finally getting around to that kitchen remodel. It’s likely you won’t have time to do these renovations once that baby has arrived. While some renovations are safe to take on while pregnant, there are some things that should be avoided. Here are 6 tips to help you with your home renovation while pregnant.

Choose Low VOC Paints

VOC stands for volatile organic compounds and can be found in paints. But there are some paints that contain low to no VOC. Paint with high levels of VOC can reduce the IQ of developing fetuses, so it’s important for pregnant women to choose paints with low levels of VOC. When you are painting wear long sleeves, long pants, and gloves to avoid skin exposure to the chemicals, take frequent breaks outside to get fresh air, and make sure the room you are painting is properly ventilated. Whether your painting the nursery or getting your kitchen cabinets repainted, choose low VOC. When you hire a professional, be sure to ask about what kinds of paints they use and whether or not they have low levels of VOC. Sound Finish only uses low VOC paints when repainting your kitchen or bathroom cabinets. They will also remove the cabinet doors and drawers and paint them outside your home, making sure you are safe from any harmful chemicals.

Avoid Woodworking Art

When doing woodworking such as cutting, carving, and sanding it is important to wear a mask to avoid breathing in sawdust. But most of all avoid using paint thinners, lacquer, or varnishes as these contain high levels of VOC. Especially avoid using a sprayer as this allows the chemicals to become airborne.

Check Your Cleaning Products

Cleaning is a big part of pre-renovations, but there are some cleaning products that are toxic and should be avoided while pregnant. Check the labels and avoid products that say they are toxic. Oven cleaners and window cleaners contain glycol ethers which have been known to cause miscarriages. Most mildew removers contain phenols, which can increase the risk of birth defects and fetal death. When you do clean, wear gloves and a mask to reduce breathing in chemicals.

Avoid Exposure to Pesticides

Redoing the backyard is a common thing to get done before the baby arrives. Gardening can be a great way to reduce stress and get outside while pregnant, but be aware of pesticides. If pesticides have been used on your plants or soil, then gardening needs to be avoided. Pesticides can cause nervous system damage to a developing fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy. If chemical pesticides are necessary then have someone else apply them and stay away from the area for as long as possible. Wear gloves, long sleeves, and long pants when working around areas that have been treated with pesticides.

Leave HVAC Work to the Professionals

Having working AC and heating units is very important for when a baby arrives, but don’t do this work yourself. The most common source of carbon monoxide in a home is a malfunctioning furnace or HVAC system. Small amounts of carbon monoxide may cause infant brain development problems. Leave it to the professionals to get this work done.

Stay Away From Mold

Mold is commonly found when doing home renovations and is very dangerous to a developing fetus. If you find or suspect mold leave the area and have someone else treat the area.

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